[time-nuts] Re: Query about TSC5120A usage protocols

[Bob Camp]

Hi

Not based on the TCS5120, but on other devices from the same era …

You can buy a pile of CF cards all of which are *supposed* to be identical in size (they all say 4GB …).

First thing is, they have slightly different sizes. If the target is smaller (even by a few KB) that’s not a 
good thing. You can indeed find these details for most cards. Since outfits *do* change these specs
from time to time, be sure to match up the numbers on the exact part you are buying. 

Next up, the structure / internals of the cards may not be the same. Good luck finding this documented
anywhere. Indeed, ones you buy this week may be different than ones you buy a few weeks from now.
I have empirical data on that …… same outfit, same labeling, same size, very subtle package difference.
The first batch works, the second batch, not at all.  

Net result: “this card works” isn’t an “always” sort of thing.

When you do the copy (depending on the copy technique), all the cards in the pile may copy fine. 
The copy process may not care that the target is to small, it just does what it can. It’s smart enough
to deal with the various internal details on the cards. 

Go and plug the card into the device and … pow. Some of them work. Others don’t. Back to the
giant pile to try another card. 

What’s going on? I can only guess that the early card interface hardware had some limitations. The
newer generations are more flexible. It could also be the card drivers buried in the OS image on the
cards that are being duplicated. I’ve never dug into that part of it.

Bob

> On Aug 5, 2023, at 12:51 AM, Tom Knox via time-nuts <time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Jorge;
> I did not have any problems - The U-Reach does a bit for bit copy. There are a number of settings, I wiped and formatted the new CF first, then used the copy and compare. I would go with a SLIGHTLY larger CF for the copy, I used Transcend CF300, I think the size was 4GB.
> Hope something here helps.
> Cheers;
> Tom Knox
> SR Test and Measurement Engineer
> Phoenix Research
> 4870 Meredith Way Apt 102
> Boulder, Co 80303
> Formerly of:
> 357 Fox Lane
> Superior Co 80027
> 303-554-0307
> actast at hotmail.com
> 
> https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/marshall-fire/superior-man-moving-forward-after-losing-dream-research-lab-during-marshall-fire
> 
> "Peace is not the absence of violence, but the presence of Justice" Both MLK and Albert Einstein
> ________________________________
> From: Jorge Gomez via time-nuts <time-nuts at lists.febo.com>
> Sent: Friday, August 4, 2023 3:58 PM
> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement <time-nuts at lists.febo.com>
> Cc: Jorge Gomez <yoyigomez at gmail.com>
> Subject: [time-nuts] Re: Query about TSC5120A usage protocols
> 
> Thanks Tom,
> That's exactly what I thought. And I bought one CF-121 duplicator as well.
> I tried yesterday but It does not seem to be able to read and copy the CF
> from the 5120.
> Any special settings you remember?
> I already set it up to copy the whole media (bit to bit regardless the
> format).
> Thanks Again,
> Jorge.
> 
> On Fri, Aug 4, 2023 at 4:14 PM Tom Knox via time-nuts <
> time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
> 
>> Hi All;
>> I have owned a number of 5120A and 5125A analyzers and always backed up
>> the CF. The route I chose was to purchase a U-Reach CF-121 duplicator for
>> around $200. One of the best investments I have made.
>> Cheers;
>> Tom Knox
>> SR Test and Measurement Engineer
>> Phoenix Research
>> 4870 Meredith Way Apt 102
>> Boulder, Co 80303
>> Formerly of:
>> 357 Fox Lane
>> Superior Co 80027
>> 303-554-0307
>> actast at hotmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/marshall-fire/superior-man-moving-forward-after-losing-dream-research-lab-during-marshall-fire
>> 
>> "Peace is not the absence of violence, but the presence of Justice" Both
>> MLK and Albert Einstein
>> ________________________________
>> From: Jorge Gomez via time-nuts <time-nuts at lists.febo.com>
>> Sent: Friday, August 4, 2023 7:55 AM
>> To: Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement <
>> time-nuts at lists.febo.com>
>> Cc: Jorge Gomez <yoyigomez at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [time-nuts] Re: Query about TSC5120A usage protocols
>> 
>> Hi Bill,
>> Can you share what software you use to back up the CF card?
>> I unsuccessfully tried different ones.
>> But after replacing the copy the machine does not boot.
>> Thanks,
>> Jorge.
>> 
>> 
>> On Thu, Mar 23, 2023 at 9:38 PM WB6BNQ via time-nuts <
>> time-nuts at lists.febo.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> YES,
>>> 
>>> BACK UP THE CF DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION !!!!
>>> 
>>> Bill, WB6BNQ
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On 3/23/2023 4:25 PM, AC0XU (Jim) via time-nuts wrote:
>>>> Time Nuts-
>>>> 
>>>> I am in the process of purchasing a TSC5120A analyzer. The seller sent
>>> me this note.  Can anyone shed more light on this topic?  Beyond the
>>> precaution mentioned (e.g., plug it into a UPS), is there anything else I
>>> can/should do to keep the unit working properly?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> 
>>>> Jim
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ===========================
>>>> Please note that the Symmetricom 5120As are VERY Sensitive when it
>> comes
>>> to powering the unit on and off. It is reccomended that they not be
>> powered
>>> off within at least a minute after storing and settings or else the CR
>>> Drive and the operating system may be corrupted. It does NOT LIKE being
>>> powering off unexpectedly due to power line issues as this may very well
>>> also corrupt the CF Drive and the operating system. Symmetricom stopped
>>> supporting these Jan 3rd of this year but they were able to send me a
>>> replacement CF drive which is the weakest link in this system.
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